Here’s one way to solve the 185-pound problem the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is having — have the champion vacate the title and move down to become a 170-pound problem.

That’s apparently a move Middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva is considering now that the list of contenders in the weight class he’s owned for six years now is less than appetizing. During a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer revealed a conversation he had with higher ups at the UFC who told him he could reveal a few possibilities that could play themselves out in the future, likely sometime next year.

This is all subject to change, of course, but apparently, “The Spider” is kicking around the notion of vacating the middleweight title and moving down to welterweight to challenge division champion Georges St. Pierre for a super fight we know the promotion is already hoping to put together assuming “Rush” is able to defeat Carlos Condit when they tussle at UFC 154 in November.

That would free up the middleweight strap to a whole host of contenders who would no longer be under the long shadow cast by Silva, the greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time.

Interestingly enough, that could also be the reason Lyoto Machida came into his UFC on Fox 4 bout against Ryan Bader weighing just 201-pounds. He was a lean, mean ass-kicking machine and his knockout victory was so impressive, he earned a light heavyweight title shot with it.

But he may have his eyes set on the belt Silva currently has around his waist.

Indeed, UFC President Dana White revealed Ed Soares, who manages both Silva and Machida, told the bossman he needed to have a conversation with him over the weekend during the “Shogun vs. Vera” event. That talk never happened so the details aren’t available but it’s entirely possible, this could be what he wanted to discuss.

Now that Machida has earned a shot at the 205-pound title, plans have either changed or been put on hold. Assuming “The Dragon” loses to Jon Jones in a rematch, or Dan Henderson if he wins the belt at UFC 151 in Las Vegas, that would finally free him up to switch weight classes.

There’s no telling whether or not any of that will happen, but it’s something to consider.

Plus, as mentioned previously, this is assuming St. Pierre defeats Condit later this year to retain his title to maintain the appeal of a superfight between the two top pound-for-pound fighters on Earth.

It should be noted that it’s entirely possible any number of scenarios play out that put a stop to all this talk but with the current climate at middleweight and Silva’s unwillingness to move up to light heavyweight, it seems downright logical that he move down for a match-up that would unquestionably be the biggest of all time.

This was Mike Swick’s return to the octagon since a twenty-four month layoff. But luckily for fight fans he was in top form when he stepped inside the cage.

At the opening bell both fighters hit each other with solid shots. But it was Johnson that took it to the ground and landed heavy ground-and-pound busting up Swick’s face. In round two Johnson set up a jab-kick combo that Swick caught like the winning touchdown for a Hail Mary pass putting Johnson on his back. While Johnson used the opposite hand to break his fall Swick saw the opening and dropped a piston into Johnson’s face, not once, but three times ensuring Johnson wasn’t getting up.

Besides being a great show opener on Fox (not to mention Knock Out of the Night honors) it was the friendly banter on Twitter between both athletes after the fight that showed the class of UFC fighters.

DaMarques Johnson
@officialswick welcome home in the @UFC sir. You where the better man last night. As a fan I’m glad back. Can we be twitter friends now?

Mike Swick
@DaMarques_UFC Thanks bro. You gave me a hell of a fight, we had a war! Always a fan of yours, keep your head up!

DaMarques Johnson
@officialswick I HOPE YOU USE SOME OF THAT BONUS MONEY TO BUY A LIGHT SWITCH IN UR HOUSE AND NAME IT DARKNESS LMAO

This scrap proved why the lightweight division could have more action in it than a Jerry Bruckheimer flick.

At the opening bell Varner looked like he took a few boxing lessons from Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund with all of the body shots he landed. But it was Lauzon’s ground game that led the dance in the third, putting Varner in a triangle choke and not letting up until an exhausted Varner tapped.

The fight took home Fight of the Night honors giving both fighters a $50,000 bump and Lauzon an extra $50,000 to fly home first class if he chose from taking Submission of the Night honors.

Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader

Machida returned to classic form in this fight relying on his karate and counter striking. As the fighters met in the middle of the cage Bader looked like he was standing on the edge of a cliff hesitating to jump into the sea while Machida used his wizard-like hand motions to hypnotize Bader. Bader fell under the spell and lunged into Machida’s counter-punch, which proved to be an over-the-counter sleeping aid.

With quick work of Bader, Machida will fight the winner of Jones vs. Henderson.

Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera

Vera stepped into the Octagon like Rod Tidwell in the movie “Jerry Maguire” hoping to prove his critics wrong and that he belonged with the light heavyweight division’s elite. Rua wasn’t going to make Vera’s night an easy one as he changed up his style looking for the takedown. Vera refused to cry uncle as he returned to his feet each time and hit Rua with a sharp jab-hook-kick combo. But it was Rua that reloaded his six-shooter in the fourth round and came out blasting to win by TKO.

Underground Blogger DeLeon DeMicoli wraps up the UFC on FOX 4 main card

DeLeon DeMicoli writes and trains in San Francisco, CA. He is currently writing a novel on Mixed Martial Arts.

“Whoever wins the most impressively on Saturday night gets the shot at the title,” White said.

White’s decision comes after a rash of fan backlash following his original announcement. UFC’s social-media-savvy fanbase immediately took to Twitter to protest the decision while citing Rua’s recent losses to both current champion Jon Jones and the champ’s UFC 151 opponent, Dan Henderson – as well as Vera’s current run of just one win in four appearances – as reasons why the bout did not deserve to be considered a No. 1 contender’s contest.

White said he listened to the complaints, and he’s making a change.

“I put together the fights that fans want to see,” White said. “The fans didn’t like the Rua and Vera choice, so here it is: The guy that wins most impressively on Saturday night out of the co-main event and the main event will get the shot at the winner of Jon Jones vs. Dan Henderson.”

The change still leaves the potential for Vera, who has registered just two wins in three years, to qualify for a championship bout. However, White said he believes an impressive win is enough for “The Truth” to deserve such an opportunity.

“There’s no doubt that Vera is getting the opportunity of a lifetime,” White said. “He’s getting the opportunity of a lifetime, but we’ll see what happens. We’ll see if he makes the most of it.”

Interestingly, champ Jones has already defeated all four potential contenders, so if he’s able to get past Henderson on Sept. 1, he’ll be looking at a rematch. The champ also took to Twitter to protest the original plans.

“Scratching my head,” Jones wrote on Monday.

However, Jones’ current run of seven consecutive wins, which includes four victories in a row against ex-UFC champs, has left him with very little new blood ready to step into a UFC title fight.

“He can scratch his head all he wants,” White said with a laugh. “Scratch away.”

First he got injured while training to fight Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan. That sucked, but a doctor that either works or doesn’t work for the UFC—depending on which version of the story you listen to—told him that if he took testosterone replacement therapy, he would magically heal and be ready to fight Bader. Imagine that.

So he did it, and yes, he magically healed up. The only problem is that he still wasn’t able to do cardio, so he came in overweight for the Bader fight. He looked fat and listless and really, outside of a big slam in the second round that nearly killed Bader, didn’t really offer up much in the way of competition.

Then he came home and gave an ill-advised interview to Fighters Only where he revealed all about the TRT use. He also voiced a few other concerns. Things were building up inside of Jackson, and it was only a matter of time before something bad happened. That’s how it always is with Rampage.

@OldNickSuperchi the ufc makes billions off us all over the world,n pay us chump change! Boxers r boring but making buckets of money,THINK!

Well I’m hoping the @ufc just let me go so I can do my thang,they took my love of fighting after the Forest fight! #bloodtypeBpositive

@skanksideup y u care that its the ufc? I can fight better fights n a diff show!

To recap:

The UFC makes billions from shows around the world (the most they’ve ever made in a year was probably a quarter of that number, but don’t let that distract you from a great story).

They’ve stolen Rampage’s love of fighting—after he turned down a big fight on FOX television because he wanted to fight in Japan and the UFC gave him what he wanted. Oh, and this was after the UFC stuck by him after his last mental breakdown resulted in him leading California cops on a high-speed chase.

He can fight somewhere else and have more fun (and make 1/25th of his current salary while also getting stiffed on paychecks in the process).

Jackson has always been a headache and a thorn in the side of Dana White. But there was a time Jackson could deliver in the cage, and that’s simply not the case anymore. He’s a slow, plodding version of the killer he once was in the PRIDE rings. He’ll never be a championship contender because he just fancies himself a boxer.

I think Jackson has a solid future in the movie business, and it’s probably time for him to pursue that avenue. Even long-time Rampage fans have to be sick and tired of the complaining at this point.

25. Johny Hendricks

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-1

Most Recent Fight: 1st Round KO victory vs. Jon Fitch

Next Fight: N/A

Johny Hendricks scored a big win over former top welterweight contender, Jon Fitch at UFC 141 last week. The knockout broke the welterweight division wide open and brought Hendricks into the top welterweights of the UFC.

24. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 32-9

Most Recent Fight: 4th round submission loss versus Jon Jones

Next Fight: vs. Ryan Bader (UFC 144)

Rampage Jackson has been a top light heavyweight for a long time now and his most recent loss to Jon Jones was for a shot at the belt. Unfortunately for Rampage, things didn’t go as planned but now he has a shot to get back into the title picture with an upcoming fight against Ryan Bader in Japan at UFC 144.

23. Kenny Florian

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-6

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision loss versus Jose Aldo

Next Fight: N/A

Ben Stiller look-a-like, Kenny Florian comes in at No. 23 after a title fight loss to Jose Aldo. Florian has fought all over in every conceivable weight class during his career. Now, Florian will return to lightweight after a two fight stint in the featherweight division.

22. Lyoto Machida

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-3

Most Recent Fight: 2nd Round submission loss versus Jon Jones

Next Fight: N/A

Lyoto Machida comes in at No. 23 this time around after suffering a loss against Jon Jones at UFC 140 earlier in December. Machida’s only three losses in his career have come against former UFC champions Rampage Jackson, Jon Jones and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

21. Ian McCall

Ian McCall is the first flyweight to make their way into these rankings and is set to make his UFC debut in Australia in March. McCall is part of the tournament that will determine the first UFC flyweight champion against names like Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson. McCall hasn’t lost since he fought Dominick Cruz three years ago at bantamweight.

20. Chad Mendes

Promotion: UFC

Record: 11-0

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory versus Rani Yahya

Next Fight: vs. Jose Aldo (UFC 142)

Chad Mendes will finally get his title shot against Jose Aldo this month when he travels south to Brazil. Mendes has rose to the top with great wrestling and his improving striking that has earned him the moniker “Urijah Faber 2.0″ after his teammate.

19. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-6

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision loss versus Dan Henderson

Next Fight: N/A

Shogun Rua beat Forrest Griffin at UFC 134 to avenge an earlier loss. He then came in and faced Dan Henderson at UFC 139 and lost what is considered one of the greatest UFC fights ever. Shogun has yet to make moves for his next fight, but after his last fight fans might be waiting to see how great his next fight will be.

18. Alistair Overeem

Alistair Overeem finally makes his way into the rankings after a big win over former UFC heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar. It was Overeem’s first UFC bout and he did what he needed to do to knockout and send Lesnar into retirement. Overeem will now cash in with a title shot against Junior dos Santos sometime this year.

17. Gilbert Melendez

Promotion: Strikeforce

Record: 20-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory versus Jorge Masvidal

Next Fight: N/A

Melendez showed how complete a fighter he is with his win over Masvidal in December. The Strikeforce lightweight champion will be staying with the promotion instead of making the jump over to the UFC. With the depleted and un-amazing talent in Strikeforce, how long can Melendez stay on this ranking?

16. Cain Velasquez

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 9-1

Most Recent Fight: 1st round KO loss versus Junior dos Santos

Next Fight: N/A

In November, Cain Velasquez suffered the first loss of his career in his first defense of his heavyweight title. Velasquez is still considered a top three heavyweight even after the loss because of his wrestling and striking ability. No word yet on who Cain will face in his first fight post-title.

15. Joseph Benavidez,

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory versus Eddie Wineland

Next Fight: vs. Yasuhiro Urushitani (UFC on FX 2)

Joseph Benavidez is the highest ranked flyweight here and is considered the favorite to be the first UFC flyweight champion. Benavidez has only two losses in his career and both were decision losses to Dominick Cruz. After his tremendous success at bantamweight, flyweight could be where we really see just how good he is.

14. Gray Maynard

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-1-1 (1 NC)

Most Recent Fight: 4th round TKO loss versus Frankie Edgar

Next Fight: N/A

Unfortunately for Maynard his trilogy with Frankie Edgar ended with a knockout loss at UFC 136. Maynard couldn’t capitalize on his back-to-back title shots and now finds himself in lightweight limbo now that a fourth fight with Edgar seems out of the question.

13. Benson Henderson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory versus Clay Guida

Next Fight: vs. Frankie Edgar (UFC 144)

Despite not having a finish in the UFC yet, Benson Henderson has been utterly entertaining inside the cage. His last three victories over Mark Bocek, Jim Miller and most recently Clay Guida, have brought Henderson his first UFC title shot.

12. Urijah Faber

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-5

Most Recent Fight: 2nd round submission victory versus Brian Bowles

Next Fight: vs. Dominick Cruz (TBA)

Urijah Faber will get his second shot at Dominick Cruz’s bantamweight belt after he beat Brian Bowles by submission at UFC 139. Faber and Cruz will headline The Ultimate Fighter 15 in the show’s debut on FX.

11. Nick Diaz

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-7 (1 NC)

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory versus B.J. Penn

Next Fight: vs. Carlos Condit (UFC 143)

Super Bowl weekend, Nick Diaz will finally get his shot at a UFC belt when he fights Carlos Condit for the interim UFC welterweight championship. Diaz is coming off a hugely impressive win over B.J. Penn where he battered around the former two-time division champ.

10. Dan Henderson

Dan Henderson has been one of the top fighters in MMA for a longtime. The former Pride and Strikeforce champ has won his last four fights and is well on his way to earning a title shot in his current stint with the UFC. His last two wins have come against two Pride legends, Shogun and Fedor Emelianenko.

9. Rashad Evans

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-1-1

Most Recent Fight: 2nd round submission victory versus Tito Ortiz

Next Fight: vs. Phil Davis (UFC on FOX 2)

Rashad Evans has been waiting and waiting for his shot at former teammate, Jon Jones. Unfortunately for Evans, injuries have derailed their title fight and Evans has opted to stay active and will face Phil Davis in the beginning of 2012. With a win over Davis, Evans could finally cement himself as the No. 1 contender.

8. Chael Sonnen

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 27-11-1

Most Recent Fight: 2nd round submission victory versus Brian Stann

Next Fight: vs. Mark Munoz (UFC on FOX 2)

Chael Sonnen has trashtalked his way back into title contention and backed it up with a huge win over Brian Stann. Sonnen has had only one fight since his loss to Silva in 2010, but regardless he will get a fight with Mark Munoz to determine the No. 1 contender for the middleweight crown.

7. Junior Dos Santos

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-1

Most Recent Fight: 1st round TKO win versus Cain Velasquez

Next Fight: vs. Alistair Overeem (TBA)

JDS won his belt back in November and now already has first title defense lined up. When he returns from injury, JDS will face former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 kickboxing champion, Alistair Overeem. JDS has slugged his way to the top with his impressive boxing skills. Now he will get a true test against another top striker.

6. Jose Aldo

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-1

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory versus Kenny Florian

Next Fight: vs. Chad Mendes (UFC 142)

Jose Aldo use to be a very impressive featherweight. Then his time came in the UFC and he has earned two decision victories. Fans are starting to think he is playing it safe and maybe against Chad Mendes this month he will prove otherwise in front of his home country, Brazil.

5. Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz is recovering from yet another hand injury and in the mean time will coach opposite future opponent, Urijah Faber, for The Ultimate Fighter‘s first season on FX. Cruz hasn’t lost at bantamweight and, in fact, hasn’t lost since his first fight in the WEC against Faber.

4. Frankie Edgar

Michael Cohen/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-1-1

Most Recent Fight: 4th round TKO victory versus Gray Maynard

Next Fight: vs. Benson Henderson (UFC 144)

Frankie Edgar beat Gray Maynard in the epic ending to their trilogy. After being hurt early on—again—Edgar came back and rallied to finish Maynard. Edgar is now set to face Benson Henderson in Japan at UFC 144 in what will be an awesome main event for Japan. Since then Cruz has been on a tear and has beaten fighters with his untouchable boxing and great wrestling skills.

3. Jon Jones

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-1

Most Recent Fight: 2nd round submission victory versus Lyoto Machida

Next Fight: N/A

Jon Jones had perhaps the best year of any fighter in MMA history. Wins over Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson, Ryan Bader and Lyoto Machida graced his 2011 resume. Now with two title defenses under his belt, Jones awaits his next challenger.

2. Georges St-Pierre

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory versus Jake Shields

Next Fight: N/A

Even without having fought in almost a year, Georges St-Pierre comes in at No. 2. GSP was expected to face Nick Diaz at UFC 143 in February, but due to a knee injury he had to pull out. GSP won’t be ready to fight until at least the near end of 2012, but in the mean time the interim belt will be defended by either Diaz or Carlos Condit.

1. Anderson Silva

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Promotion: UFC

Record: 31-4

Most Recent Fight: 2nd Round TKO victory vs. Yushin Okami

Next Fight: N/A

Do I really need to make a case for him? Silva has been one of the top fighters since coming into the UFC and his numerous title defenses and wins in a different weight class put him here at numero uno.